Table Top, a photo from Ontario, Central

Photographer's Note

Table Top Archicture

As you are used to from me, first a photo to make you curious. A detail of a building that reveals that it is a special design. The second and third photo will expose the mystery of the first photo.

The "TABLE TOP" is the nickname of the Sharp Center for Design in Toronto.
An extension of the OCAD University.
Designed by British architect Will Ansop in collaboration with Robbie / Young + Wright Architects from Toronto.

The architect himself described the building from 2004 as the 'tabletop'. The building is two stories high and is 26 meters above ground level. The "block box" of 30 x 8.5 meters with a height of 9 meters is supported by twelve multicoloured sloping legs of 26 meters high. The sides of the Sharp Center are painted in a seemingly random pattern of black squares on a white background. A sloping tower connects the modern steel structure with the already existing building below.

Despite the fact that there was some criticism of this unconventional design, the building has won many awards and is considered one of the "Landmarks" of Toronto.
It is therefore surprising that a picture of it has only been placed on TE twice before.

Unfortunately the circumstances were not ideal.
Strongly changing light conditions, scaffolding that stood obstructs the view and a camera with erratic
Behaviour made it rather difficult to deliver a top performance.

I would like to point out to you the remarkable architecture of the houses next to the tabletop (photo 2).

■ Picture 1: ◄ Close Up from below ►

■ Picture 2: ◄ Street View ►

■ Picture 3: ◄Side View ►

The best way to view the pictures is to use the links above.

holmertz, pierrefonds, tyro, tyro, ChrisJ, jhm, jean113, pajaran, ikeharel, ktanska, Fis2, worldcitizen, mcmtanyel, cornejo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Silvio1953 (221781) 2019-11-05 2:59

Ciao Rob, my today neighbour, lovely composition with beautiful graphic, wonderful colors, fine details and splendid clarity, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

holmertz (102846) 2019-11-05 3:44

Hello Rob,
Once again I think you are doing better than the architects. It's certainly a smart and exceptional building, but judging from the views in the WS the inventive design looks much better in this photo than from the street. It's even hard to realize how you managed to take such a clear photo with such good lighting. Of course it's impossible to imagine this is the bottom of a building. It looks so much more like a painting from the 1920's. I would have got stuck in front of it in a museum.
Best regards,
Gert

pierrefonds (114608) 2019-11-05 4:23

Hi Rob,

A good way to make the persons read you note and look at the other pictures. It is an original design of architecture. The poit of view is showing the details of this section of the building. The light is enhancing the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

tyro (30513) 2019-11-05 4:37

Hello Rob,

I have to admit that I don't find this modern building at all attractive - but I do admire your imagination and also your artistic and photographic skills in being able o come away with three very thoughtful and inspiring photographs of it. I certainly would have been struggling to find a decent viewpoint from which to photograph this structure, but you have managed to find three excellent ones!

I my opinion very inspiring photographs of a not very inspiring subject. Very well done and thank you.

Brilliant!

Kind Regards,

John.

Sergiom (117241) 2019-11-05 6:25

Bonjour Rob,

J'imagine les contorsions n馗essaires pour atteindre ce r駸ultat. J'appr馗ie la belle sym騁rie ainsi que le rendu des d騁ails et de couleurs.

Amicalement

Serge

jhm (211736) 2019-11-05 6:26

Dag Rob,

U bent de man die steeds het meest grafische vindt in uw foto werk.
Opnieuw iets heel special.
U heeft dit goed samengevat.
Heel scherp en helder beeld. Bedankt.

Groeten uit Vlaanderen met rustig herfst weer.
John

jean113 (27899) 2019-11-05 6:38

Hello Rob, the perfect choice that makes me curious!
A very original point of view; and thanks for the two extra shots that explain the design.
I often wonder as I look at some of these modern designs how the upright legs/supports manage to hold up what must be very heavy materials. Obviously a lot of mathematics has aided their ideas!
No need for apologies, three excellent shots.
Very interesting and informative notes.
Kind regards, Jean.

Tue (92548) 2019-11-05 7:21

Hallo Rob,
Ik zat toch eerst even te denken waar en in welk museum we dit gezien hebben, maar nu weet ik inderdaad weer dat het een gebouw om de hoek bij AGO was. De dunnere pilaren lijken we pennen en potloden die in het tafelblad gestoken zijn, en de rode diagonaal valt natuurlijk het meest op.
Lars

rychem (72187) 2019-11-05 8:09

Another WOW photo from you, I can imagine how many photos you have taken to have all of them in your archive:)
Simply great
regards Ryszard

pajaran (116065) 2019-11-05 8:23

Pozdrav.
Interesantani i lepi pogledi, dobar tekst ...
Lepi detalji i arhitektura.
Lep Sharp Center for Design in Toronto.
Lepo pokazano sa fotografijama u radionici.
Zelim vam sve najbolje.
Paja.

Greeting.
Interesting and nice views, good text ...
Nice details and architecture.
Nice Sharp Center for Design in Toronto.
Nicely shown with photos in the workshop.
I wish you all the best.

ikeharel (113501) 2019-11-05 8:34

Only the WS's 'gelped' me to comprehend what we see on the main photo, Rob.
Nicely presented, neat pictures.
Good evening,
Ike

ktanska (44838) 2019-11-05 9:29

Hi Rob,
Very special design. From the main upload it is impossible to conceive the angle or scale. And that of course was your intention too. The workshops give extra information and fulfill our curiosity.
Kari

Fis2 (170945) 2019-11-05 9:51

Witaj Rob!
A very interesting fragment of building.
Excellent POV makes impression.
Good composition, colors and sharpness.
Well done WS too.
Good evening.
Krzysztof

BennyV (34748) 2019-11-05 10:56

Mooie architectuurfoto, Rob. Het doet me aan pop-art denken, maar de kleuren zijn natuurlijk Mondriaans (behalve dan dat paars, dat hij - terecht - weigerde te gebruiken). Mooie foto met goede aanvullingen in de WS.

Benny

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-11-05 12:22

Hallo Rob, the architects strecthed their imagination to design such building. The colorful pillars supporting the spotted roof add a touch of originality to the construction. Good city observation. Excellent image quality, instructive photo note, regards.

worldcitizen (16108) 2019-11-05 14:08

Hello Rob,
I like this main photo. The POV is clever, and it makes e curious about the whole structure. It's a nice abstract composition. The colorful poles contrast the black and white surface really well, too.

lousat (139362) 2019-11-05 16:21

Hi Rob,this time I could not resist and I immediately went to see the WS before reading the notes ... ehehe ... absolutely fantastic the main composition that you managed to get from this architecture, one of your most incredible photos, great quality and original, it's always a pleasure to stop and watch your work! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Gerrit (62042) 2019-11-05 17:43

Dag Rob,
Mooie lijnen en kleuren. Schatplichting aan Mondriaan maar erg fraai.
Groet, Gerrit

ifege (48253) 2019-11-05 22:46

Hi rob
You certain set a puzzle with the first image. It alone is great but the others do explain it well. Love it.
cheers
Ian

Nicou (193806) 2019-11-06 0:54

Hello

que jeu de couleurs et de contraste dans cette image avec ce carr駸 noir et la grande partie rouge quel effet et es pieux comme piqu� dans la pparoi superbe
bravo et belle journ馥
Nicou

jmdias (115342) 2019-11-06 9:02

rob

a curious ceiling, looks like a modern painting mixed with sculpture. maybe a kind of mir� in a recreated cubism. nice view. very beautiful photo.

take care

jorge

Royaldevon (85932) 2019-11-06 10:43

Hello Rob,

I am so much in agreement with other critiquers because this is an artistic shot, which really excites our curiosity. However, the whole building really doesn't excite me like this shot does.
You have given us a sharp photograph but, it is the building, not your photograph which is a bit underwhelming.

My warm regards,
Bev 😊

mcmtanyel (68707) 2019-11-06 20:34

Hello Rob,
You have uploaded the most attractive photo of this building as the main entry. I like its almost abstract quality, as well as the colors and patterns. Well, since it is a university building, I'll include it in my College Campuses theme. 👍🏻👍🏻
Regards,
MT

cornejo (61504) 2019-12-24 3:53

Hi Rob, very good photograph of this beautiful and interesting composition, very well captured in this beautiful image, with good sharpness, light and quality. Very good and interesting work perfectly done, my congratulations my friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful work.

Good afternoon and happy week.
Best wishes from southern Spain.
Angel.